2019 Vive Le Jazz Santa Lucia Highlands / Monterey County Chardonnay

WINE NOTES

NAME:

Vive Le Jazz

VARIETAL:

Chardonnay

APPELLATION:

Santa Lucia Highlands / Monterey County

VINTAGE:

2019

You may not have heard about Santa Lucia Highlands, but you probably know Monterey, California. When you think about it, what comes to mind? I bet a little town right on the California coast, with big waves and plenty of sun. And you are 100% right. What is even more interesting is that the town is really just the gateway to a long and narrow mountain-protected valley that reaches far away from the ocean. It is here, away from the postcard settings and tourists, where the chill of the funneled persistent Pacific Ocean breeze and the warmth of the California sun work in harmony together to create one of the finest grape growing regions in the world. A sort of ‘hamlet’ particularly for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Welcome to Santa Lucia Highlands.

Chardonnays can have so many different styles, however only a few of those deserve the stamp of a luxury wine. This wine is so complex and layered it defines the category of excellence. The nose is pronounced with fresh Golden Delicious apple and a slight oakiness. The taste is even more intriguing. The texture is outstanding; medium bodied with creamy oak and vanilla. Not overly buttery, but just enough to round out the style. The Golden Delicious apple style, that subtle yet excellent fruit acidity, is the prominent flavor. This is a complex, elegant Chardonnay we know you will fall in love with as we did on our first taste.

Cheers - Eric

ARTWORK & DESIGN

This label’s concept and artwork are very special to me for so many reasons. Those being the saxophone, jazz and family.

The artist Jordyn Guerra truly captured the essence of what I know to be the saxophone in this original digital painting. The strength of the black paint strokes depicts the power and raw dominance a sax can emit, yet the simplicity and ease of the sketched lines speaks to how just one note can reach the heart and the soul all in one striking moment.

When I taste Chardonnay, especially one at this level of elegance, it is layered and interesting, and I find myself wanting to drink more. So, I believe the pairing of this wine and Smooth Jazz is pure perfection. On one side Jazz is pure, uplifting and inspiring, yet on the other can be complex and intricate, just like the style of this wine.

Finally, whenever our daughter can have an artistic platform to shine, and shine brightly as she has done here, my heart fills with love and joy. I love her design as it depicts my instrument of choice and huge part of my life in one amazing sketch. And the joy I feel for her pure talent and accomplishment is what life’s moments are made of.

— Mindi

MUSIC

This playlist is full of songs that have inspired me as an instrumentalist over the years. Many of these artists are my friends and contemporaries. Their music is easy to listen to and always puts a smile on my face, just like our Vive Le Jazz Chardonnay. This wine is elegant and layered, just as these songs are. They seem to flow so easily, yet I know as a songwriter and artist the complicated harmonies and instrumental excellence that it took to make it all seem so effortless. I’ve spent my life creating music, mostly in the jazz world, and I appreciate so much the talent it takes to create a great melody or play and emote from the heart. This wine brings me there. It embodies that talent of the winemaker along with the incredible fruit. It’s outstanding. These artists are all inspiring, and all of these songs make me feel so good. I believe you’ll find these songs a perfect pairing to our beautiful Chardonnay!

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